Bradford City take second look at Sunderland’s Liam Agnew

By Chris Young

Sunderland midfielder Liam Agnew is spending a second week on trial at League One Bradford City.

Under-21s skipper Agnew impressed Bradford boss Phil Parkinson when he spent a week training with the Bantams last month and he has returned to Valley Parade for a second spell.

Agnew - whose only first-team outing for Sunderland came as a late substitute in last season’s FA Cup – is out-of-contract at the end of the season and the 21-year-old is unlikely to be offered the chance to remain at the Stadium of Light.

Parkinson has confirmed that he wants to sign Agnew, either on an initial loan deal or on a free transfer in the summer, with this week’s second trial spell likely to decide Bradford’s next move.

“We saw him maybe as another one to bring in now or someone to go for in the summer,” said Parkinson last month.

Meanwhile, Agnew’s fellow U21 midfielder Martin Smith is also attracting interest after spending a week training with League Two Carlisle earlier this month.

Carlisle are still monitoring the 20-year-old, while there has been interest from a Dutch side in the ex-Gateshead loanee too.

Both Smith and Agnew featured in the U21s’ 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday, which sent Andy Welsh’s side back to the top of the U21 Premier League.

Sunderland boast a one-point gap from second placed Manchester United, although the Black Cats have played two extra games.

United play the first of their two games in hand at Chelsea on Saturday, but Sunderland development coach Welsh is pleased to have regained top spot for the time being at least.

“We’re absolutely delighted to go back to the top of the league. We have taken four points from a possible six and that is very good,” he said.